NB: These pages were mostly written
in 2001 or so. The résumé dates are accurate but the
code is aged and unlike whiskey, 8 year-old code doesn't usually taste
better. For a look at my current skills and to see my CPAN
modules, sample code, and code discussions, please see these pages
instead: Perl resources and sample code and PangyreSoft.

Javascript is, normally, for client-side scripting. That means that
the script is executed by the client’s computer (their browser
specifically), instead of by your server as is the case with a perl
CGI or mod_perl application. Javascript is very rich scripting
language with which you can write complicated programs and
mini-applications. Its strength lies in simpler uses and browser
manipulation though. It’s a natural match for Perl since their
abilities overlap but their general usages are complementary (server
side, client side).

That effect you saw (assuming you have your javascript on and aren’t
using Mosaic) is easily done via Javascript by manipulating the CSS
visibility attribute of each character by its id tag when it
detects a Mouse event. In this case, we’re getting the onMouseOver
(the capitals are optional with HTML but you should use all lowercase
for strict XHTML/HTML4 compliance).

We use the rgb(n,n,n) format with this, where n is 0-255, since it's
much easier than converting hexadecimal color codes from decimal. We
only go up to 250 with our random numbers though since straight 255s
would be white and therefore invisible on this page. Here is
switchColor().

Code Random Color Switcher

Could be placed within <head> tags

The coolest example, the fade

We'll apply the effect to the entire
paragraph. And make the text bold and add in a few extra words to
make it look better.

Mouse me to bring it
back
(or fade it).

Code Fade Me

Using items as objects, we can track several at once
and each one's execution state